Where is the church?

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

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“Where is the voice of clergy and professors of Divinity to speak up against injustice? Don’t be silent.” –Rep. John Lewis

I would add to that is where are the followers of Christ (the church and it’s members) and theological school students to speak against injustice?

Where is the church in the intentional murder of Walter Scott? The church should be speaking out against this. The church include all who call themselves and ID as Christians, Clergy, Professors, and theological students. Where are all of us?

Where is the church in the injustice of immigration laws?

Where is the church in the injustice of the death penalty?

Where is the church when there are widows, orphans, and the poor who suffer? God commands us to take care of them!

Where is the church when there is still poverty?

When will the following happen again:

Acts 4:32-34 (NRSV): “2 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.”

Where is the church in our single parent society of teen and out of wedlock pregnancies?

Where is the church to speak about the inequalities in our education system (Preschool –> Grad School)?

Where is the when people live in pain?

Where is the church where people have broken relationships?

Where is the church to speak out about domestic violence?

Where is the church to speak to our society about ethics and morals?

Where is the church when we are a society of debt slavery?

Where is the church when the rich get a tax break (as the house voted on today)?

Where is the church when someone in discriminated due to the person they love?

Where is the church when someone is judged just because of their gender identity?

Where is the church when someone is left out just because of who they are?

Where is the church when racist and sexist structures in all levels of society need to be dismantled, both secular and religious?

Where is the church in the care of people with mental health and substance issues?

Where is the church in the rampant rape culture in our society, when will the church speak out?

Where is the church when the State of Israel is oppressing the Palestinians who have human rights?

Where is the church when genocide is happening throughout the world?

Where is the church when ISIS is murdering Christians?

Where is the church when our people are being persecuted?

Where is the church when our own people discriminate?

Where is the church when we need to speak about BlackLivesMatter?

Where is the church in racial injustice?

Where is the church when Latino/a’s are becoming the new slave class?

Where is the church when we are backsliding on civil rights?

Where is the church where women are treated as second class citizens?

Where is the church when we are being misrepresented by the House and the Senate who ID with a certain party?

Who will rise up?

Who will be the next prophet for our society? Who will be the next MLK Jr? Who will be the next John Lewis?

Who will bring the word of God to our society so much in need of change of heart and who is need of repentance?

Who will convict us of our collective sin?

Where is our unity in Christ?

Are we truly a new creation?

Are we truly living in to our baptisms? Are we truly taking up our cross and actually following Christ?

Do we truly know what the weight of baptism means for us?

Are we truly dying to ourselves and living in Christ?

Are we truly the body of Christ? Are we truly his hands and his feet?

Is Christ really risen?

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For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen!

Prayer:

God of love, as in Jesus Christ you gave yourself to us, so may we give ourselves to you, living according to your holy will. Keep our feet firmly in the way where Christ leads us; make our mouths speak the truth that Christ teaches us; fill our bodies with the life that is Christ within us. In his holy name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession:

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Assurance:

As God’s own people, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Be always ready to forgive as freely as God has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be loving, and never forget to be thankful for what Christ has done for you.